Jurgen Klopp lauded Liverpool teenagers Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark as they continue to make a striking impression in first-team training.
Bajcetic, 17, is a versatile central defender or midfielder who gave a fine account of himself in pre-season, while Clark, also 17, was also handed opportunities in attack during the summer tour of Asia. Both youngsters arrived on Merseyside last year and could soon make their competitive senior debuts, having been named on the bench in the Premier League this season.
The duo's chances of first-team action have been boosted in recent weeks as Liverpool have seen numerous players succumb to injuries. A total of nine Reds players were ruled out of Monday night's clash at Manchester United, which meant Bajcetic and Clark featured in the match day squad for the North-West derby.
Klopp reserved special praise for the two youngsters in his pre-United press conference, admitting he would like to have more players available but highlighting the opportunity it presents for the previously-unknown talents. We are not like 25, 26 players," the Liverpool manager said.
"But, on the other side, it opens up opportunities and I am really, really happy. I'm not sure the two boys Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark would be that close to the first team at 17 years old if we would have them all available and now they make real steps, unbelievable every day in training.
"That's good but of course we would prefer to have an extra striker, an extra midfielder available. You can now change five times but you cannot change five times sometimes! That's it."
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The likes of Joel Matip and Thiago recently picked up injuries to leave Klopp without key men in defence and midfield respectively. Forward Diogo Jota has played no part this season due to a thigh issue and Darwin Nunez is suspended after he headbutted Crystal Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen.
"Yeah, it's not cool and you need a moment and last week was really horrible because it was like three players in one week," Klopp added on the situation. "You think, 'Okay, what is going on?' But that is the situation we are in and now in my mind, if we have a problem and you have the chance to sort it together then you do that together, so I can't wait for the next few games."
Liverpool are searching for their first victory of the season against United after drawing with Fulham and Palace, while the Red Devils are out to avoid defeat after losses to Brighton and Brentford.
